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In a thrilling Champions League matchup, Arsenal claimed a crucial victory in Lisbon, with Kai Havertz scoring the winning goal in injury time after Gabriel Martinelli drew the defense. This win comes after Arsenal lost their previous two matches, making it a significant turnaround for the team.Elsewhere, Bayern Munich secured a win at the Bernabéu, with Trent Alexander-Arnold's perfect ball setting up Kylian Mbappé's goal. This result keeps the tie very much alive, with both teams still in contention.The podcast also discusses a big Easter of Football League action and pays tribute to Aaron Ramsey. Listeners can find Football Weekly on various platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Arsenal bounced back from their recent domestic struggles to secure a vital 1-0 win against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League quarterfinals. Kai Havertz scored the decisive goal in stoppage time, capitalizing on a superb pass from Gabriel Martinelli to beat the offside trap and slot past Sporting goalkeeper Rui Silva.The Gunners arrived at the Jose Alvalade Stadium reeling from successive defeats to Manchester City in the League Cup final and Southampton in the FA Cup quarterfinals. Despite a lackluster performance, Arsenal's resilience and Havertz's clinical finish earned them a crucial victory.Mikel Arteta's side will be favorites to advance to the semifinals in the second leg at home on April 15. However, they will need to significantly improve their form to win the tournament for the first time. Arsenal's Premier League title hopes remain strong, with the team sitting nine points clear of second-placed Manchester City.Sporting Lisbon, seeking their first Champions League semifinal spot since 1983, were unable to capitalize on their 17-game home winning streak. The hosts created several chances, including a fierce strike from Maxi Araujo that David Raya tipped onto the crossbar and a low drive from Geny Catamo that Raya smothered.Arsenal's injury-hit squad was still without several key players, including Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka. However, the team's depth and Arteta's tactical acumen ultimately paid off, as they secured a hard-fought win in Lisbon.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was relieved as Kai Havertz scored in the first minute of injury time to secure a late victory for his team against Sporting. The win brings Arsenal closer to the Champions League quarterfinals for only the fourth time in their history.The match was a challenging one for Arsenal, who were without several key players, including Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Jurriën Timber, and Piero Hincapié. Despite these absences, David Raya made several crucial saves to deny Sporting's Maxi Araújo and Luis Suárez.Kai Havertz's goal came from a cross by fellow substitute Gabriel Martinelli, providing a significant boost to Arsenal's confidence ahead of their return to domestic action against Bournemouth on Saturday.The win also secures an additional Champions League spot for the Premier League, ensuring that the top five teams in the league will qualify for the tournament next season.

Martin Rowson, a renowned cartoonist, has created a thought-provoking cartoon about Donald Trump's bunker. The cartoon, published in The Guardian, offers a satirical take on Trump's controversial bunker.The cartoon, illustrated by Rowson, is a Guardian Opinion cartoon that provides a unique perspective on Trump's bunker. While the exact details of the cartoon are not specified, it is clear that Rowson's work is a commentary on Trump's actions and policies.Rowson's cartoons are known for their wit and insight, and this particular piece is no exception. By using satire, Rowson aims to critique Trump's decisions and provide a different perspective on the issue.

Arsenal broke a spell of anxiety at the Estádio José Alvalade, edging Sporting CP 1‑0 in the Champions League quarter‑final first leg. Kai Havertz delivered the decisive goal after Gabriel Martinelli’s cross found him unmarked, allowing the German forward to finish past Rui Silva.The match was a grinding affair; Arsenal completed 488 passes but struggled to create clear-cut chances. Early opportunities were limited to set‑piece scrambles and long‑range attempts, with Noni Madueke’s corner rattling the bar and Leandro Trossard’s speculative 40‑yard effort failing to find the net.Arsenal’s breakthrough came in added time of the second half. Substituting Martin Ødegaard in the 70th minute, Arteta introduced Havertz, who slipped into a support‑striker role and, moments later, slotted home the winner. The goal not only secured the lead but also provided a psychological lift as the season’s final weeks loom.Equally pivotal was goalkeeper David Raya’s performance. The Spaniard produced three major saves, including a fingertip parry that kept a Geny Catamo header off the line and a double‑save sequence against Catamo and Luis Suárez. His interventions were described as “nothing will ever get past him,” underscoring the importance of elite goalkeeping in high‑stakes fixtures.Sporting CP pressed in the closing stages, with Ousmane Diomande threading a pass behind Ben White and Maxi Araújo forcing a near‑miss that only Raya’s fingertips prevented. Yet Arsenal’s defensive shape and Raya’s reflexes held firm, allowing the Gunners to head into the second leg with a valuable advantage.Arteta’s side has faced criticism for recent goalkeeping choices, notably starting Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, a decision that backfired after an error led to City’s opener. The contrast with Raya’s composure highlights the impact of recruitment decisions on match outcomes.While the win injects optimism, Arsenal remain nine points clear at the top of the Premier League and must translate this European momentum into domestic consistency. As Arteta cautioned, “don’t panic,” the onus now lies on Havertz to maintain composure and on the squad to capitalize on the platform Raya helped secure.

Arsenal travel to Lisbon after recent setbacks in domestic cup finals, yet they remain unbeaten in the Champions League group stage and the last‑16, where they defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3‑1 on aggregate. The Gunners entered the tie with eleven players back from international duty, but a knee injury to Gabriel Magalhães adds to a list that already includes Eze, Hincapié, Saka, Timber and Merino. The potential return of Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard and Martin Ødegaard could restore creative spark. Sporting CP, still reeling from a 5‑1 loss to Arsenal last season, rely on Colombian striker Luis Suárez, who has netted 34 goals across all competitions, including five in Europe. Their home record at Estádio José Alvalade is formidable – five wins in five Champions League matches. Prediction: Arsenal to progress after a draw in the first leg. Real Madrid host Bayern Munich in a clash that pits a historically dominant Spanish side against a German outfit that has lost only twice in 43 matches this season and boasts a 13‑game unbeaten streak. Bayern, fresh from a 10‑2 demolition of Atalanta, have secured the Bundesliga and are eyeing a DFB‑Pokal semi‑final, but they have failed to beat Real in their last nine meetings. Madrid, despite a recent 2‑1 league loss to Mallorca, carry confidence from a 5‑1 aggregate victory over Manchester City. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois remains sidelined, leaving Andriy Lunin between the posts, while Kylian Mbappé leads the competition with 13 goals. Prediction: Bayern to progress after a draw in the first leg. Barcelona take on Atlético Madrid after a dramatic 2‑1 league defeat in which Robert Lewandowski scored late. Atlético, known for high‑scoring Champions League displays (55 goals in 12 games), will miss several starters, including Hancko and Ruggeri, while Jan Oblak is expected to keep goal. Barcelona enter the tie on a nine‑match unbeaten run, sit seven points clear at the top of La Liga, and have recently thrashed Newcastle 7‑2 in Europe. Injuries to Raphinha and Frenkie de Jong linger, but Ronald Araújo is likely to start. Prediction: Barcelona to win the first leg and the tie. Paris Saint‑Germain face Liverpool at a difficult moment for the English side, fresh from a 4‑0 FA Cup loss to Manchester City. Liverpool can count on the fitness of Mohamed Salah, Jeremie Frimpong and Federico Chiesa, and the possible return of £125 million signing Alexander Isak. PSG, meanwhile, continue their strong record against English clubs, having eliminated Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal last season and recently dispatching Chelsea 8‑2 on aggregate. Key players such as Vitinha, João Neves and Nuno Mendes are expected to start after recent bench appearances. Prediction: PSG to win the first leg and the tie.

Chelsea FC Women have advanced to the Women's FA Cup semi-finals after a hard-fought 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur Women. The Blues' manager, Sonia Bompastor, expressed relief and pride in her team's performance, despite the grueling schedule they have faced. The match at Kingsmeadow was an intense, end-to-end battle, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. Sam Kerr opened the scoring in the 40th minute, heading Keira Walsh's cross past Lize Kop. However, Tottenham responded well, and Eveliina Summanen equalized seven minutes after halftime with a free-kick that floated over the Chelsea defense. The game seemed destined for extra time, but Veerle Buurman's stunning, rising strike with just four minutes of normal time remaining secured the win for Chelsea. This goal sparked wild celebrations among the home fans and Buurman's teammates. Bompastor praised her players' resilience and highlighted the importance of communication with national team coaches to manage the players' workload effectively. With their Women's Super League title hopes all but extinguished and the League Cup already won, Chelsea is now focused on securing a domestic cup double. Tottenham's manager, Martin Ho, was pleased with his team's performance, noting that they showed character and grit despite the defeat. He emphasized that the team can take positives from the match as they look to bounce back in their next game against Manchester United.

Two weeks after the United States and Israel entered a direct conflict with Iran, the White House faced mounting criticism that the war would drive up fuel costs and anger voters. Former President Donald Trump attempted to calm concerns on Truth Social, noting that the United States is the world’s largest oil producer and that higher prices translate into higher revenues for American companies. Now, five weeks into the hostilities, the reality is becoming clear: defense contractors and oil companies are the primary beneficiaries of the escalating energy market. The Department of Defense announced that Boeing will partner with Lockheed Martin to triple U.S. production of missile seekers, a move that sent Lockheed Martin’s stock up 25% since the start of the year. The announcement also lifted Boeing’s share price, underscoring how wartime procurement is boosting aerospace valuations. At the same time, Iran’s continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly one‑fifth of global oil and gas flows—has pushed U.S. crude from $65 to over $110 per barrel in just a month. Pump prices have mirrored this surge, breaking the $4‑a‑gallon barrier for the first time since 2022. Oil majors have responded with sharp stock gains; ExxonMobil, Shell and Chevron have each risen more than 20% year‑to‑date. According to market‑research firm Rystad Energy, U.S. oil producers stand to earn an additional $63 billion as barrels trade above $100. “Oil prices in March have been materially higher than anyone expected, delivering a windfall for the vast majority of U.S. energy companies,” said Leo Mariani, senior analyst at Roth Capital Partners. The last comparable price shock occurred in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, when U.S. gasoline peaked at $5 per gallon and inflation surged to 9%. That episode generated $916 billion in global oil‑and‑gas profits, with U.S. firms accounting for $281 billion. Chevron’s subsequent $75 billion stock‑buyback program—seven times its prior year’s amount—illustrates how quickly companies can translate price spikes into shareholder returns. Research by economists Gregor Semieniuk and Isabella Weber revealed that in 2022, 50% of oil‑company profits went to the top 1% of Americans, while the bottom half of the wealth distribution captured just 1% of those gains. Analysts warn that the current conflict could generate even larger windfalls because it has damaged actual production capacity in the Middle East, not merely reshuffled supply. “You’re benefiting a lot more from higher prices than you are from lost production,” Mariani noted, emphasizing the outsized profit potential. Even if hostilities cease, restoring pre‑conflict output in the region may take months, prolonging the supply crunch. As senior fellow Clay Seagle of the Center for Strategic and International Studies explains, the current situation differs from 2022: “Now we’re dealing with a much more severe supply event because the oil has been actually removed from the market.” Prolonged high prices could eventually curb demand, as consumers and businesses seek alternatives—a shift seen after the 1970s oil shocks when the U.S. moved away from oil‑generated electricity. Nonetheless, many sectors remain vulnerable: diesel, a key fuel for trucks and aircraft, has risen 40%, and airline stocks such as United and American have fallen more than 15% since the year began. Moreover, disruptions to liquefied natural gas (LNG) production threaten fertilizer supplies essential for agriculture. Semieniuk cautions that “we’re approaching the kinds of disruption levels we saw in 2022, and with that, the kinds of profits that we saw there. If this takes longer, it’s going to surpass that.”

Elvira Notari—Italy’s first and most prolific female filmmaker—crafted a vivid portrait of early‑20th‑century Naples through melodramas such as È piccerella (1922). The film opens with bustling pilgrimage scenes at the Candelora festival, juxtaposing flamboyant revelry with stark images of poverty, a visual strategy that challenged the sanitized narratives favored by the fascist regime.According to film scholar Giuliana Bruno, Notari’s work was driven by a desire to document reality, exposing class tensions and gendered oppression that Mussolini’s censors deemed unacceptable. A 1928 censorship law explicitly banned Neapolitan films featuring “stallholders, beggars, urchins, dirty alleyways,” effectively silencing Notari’s authentic street‑level storytelling.Despite directing around 60 feature films—many hand‑coloured—alongside her husband Nicola at Dora Film, only three titles (A Santanotte, È piccerella, Fantasia ‘e surdato) and fragments survive today, a loss directly attributable to fascist suppression and the prohibitive cost of sound‑film conversion.The newly released documentary Elvira Notari: Beyond Silence, produced by Antonella Di Nocera and directed by Valerio Ciriaci, reconstructs Notari’s fragmented career by collaborating with contemporary “artisans”—photographers, visual artists, novelists, and musicians who reinterpret her silent‑film aesthetics. Ciriaci notes that the absence of personal archives made the film’s investigative approach essential, turning Notari’s silence into a creative catalyst.Critics emphasize Notari’s lasting influence on Italian‑American auteurs such as Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese. Elements of her chaotic street festivals anticipate the wedding scenes in *The Godfather* and *Goodfellas*, while her raw urban tableaux echo the gritty New York sequences of *Taxi Driver*.Beyond cinematic technique, scholars like Cristina Jandelli argue that Notari’s intertitles reveal a pronounced class consciousness and a critique of women’s marginalisation in early 20th‑century Italy. Her use of Neapolitan dialect and unvarnished depictions of squalor directly opposed the regime’s propaganda‑driven vision of a unified, pristine Italy.After Dora Film collapsed in 1930, Notari retired to Cava de’ Tirreni and died in 1946, largely forgotten until recent scholarly revival. The documentary positions her as a “symbol of the right to memories,” underscoring the ongoing relevance of silenced female voices in cultural history.*Elvira Notari: Beyond Silence* will premiere at New York’s Film Forum on 6 April 2026 and tour the United Kingdom throughout April and May, offering audiences a chance to reconnect with a pioneering filmmaker whose work was once erased by fascism.